Tendulkar advised two weeks rest

India are feeling the effects of the three-month long tour to Australia with four of their players, including Sachin Tendulkar, advised rest ahead of the Test series against South Africa, starting in Chennai on March 26.

Tendulkar, Ishant Sharma, Harbhajan Singh, and Yuvraj Singh are required to rest for a minimum of two to three weeks, according to John Gloster, the outgoing Indian team physio.

Sources in the Indian board confirmed the same but added that these injuries didn't necessarily translate into the players being ruled out of the Tests.

According to the report, Tendulkar is suffering from tendonitis in the right hip region and will require a minimum of two weeks rest. Ishant is troubled by injuries to his toe and finger, Harbhajan has pulled a left hamstring, and Yuvraj's knee continues to be a problem. Yuvraj and Harbhajan could even have to undergo surgeries.

Tendulkar, however, shrugged off concerns that he would miss a part of the series. "As far as I am concerned, I am fit," Tendulkar said at the launch of Mumbai Indians, the IPL franchise. "I have not said anything before on this. I will certainly play against South Africa. There is no doubt."

Ishant has been advised three weeks rest while Harbhajan could be out of action for a minimum of two weeks. All the players have been referred to Melbourne-based surgeon David Young. All the four injured players were part of both the Test and one-day squads and went through a gruelling tour that was not short of controversy.

Gloster, who recently signed up with Shane Warne's Rajasthan Royals in IPL, had been facing criticism at the end of his tenure for the increasing number of injuries in the team. He mentions a few other worries as well: Irfan Pathan requires two weeks rest for his lower back, Sreesanth has an instability in the left ankle, and Mahendra Singh Dhoni has sprained his ring finger of his right hand.

India's kick off their first Test against South Africa in Chennai on March 26. The squad will be selected on March 17 in Bangalore.